The sun is setting on a wonderful first day of #GAFCON2018 here in Jerusalem. I’ve spent much of the day helping with the livestream and in the main auditorium there’s been lots happening that’s encouraged many of the delegates. There’s almost 2,000 here from right across the Anglican Communion and it’s been a really great start to what promises to be a terrific conference.
Here’s a video of most of the main morning session:
There were three highlights that everyone has talked about.
The choir! I had the privilege of doing a brief interview with them on the preparation day. You can hear them in action on the video.
#Gafcon2018 morning worship. Anglicanism is different than you think it is. pic.twitter.com/n8hWwA1qln
— Esau McCaulley Ph.D (@esaumccaulley) June 18, 2018
Choir practice for #gafcon2018. It’s getting real!!! pic.twitter.com/G8EpxCIi5H
— Dominic Steele (@dominicsteele) June 17, 2018
Alfred Olwa’s exposition. There are Bible studies to start each day, looking at the events of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Here’s some action from twitter:
“Proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ faithfully will set the world free from the darkness.” The Rev. Dr. Alfred Olwa of Uganda speaking at #gafcon2018 @gafconference @The_ACNA @ChurchofUganda pic.twitter.com/Qlorte198v
— ADOTS (@adots_acna) June 18, 2018
Bishop Alfred Olwa: “A line is drawn by Jesus you are either in or out. There is no sitting on the fence”. #Gafcon2018
— GAFCON (@gafconference) June 18, 2018
“Some people are interested in Jesus only as long as he is blessing them. They proclaim prosperity, not the true Gospel.” Ugandan #Anglican Bishop Alfred Olwa from diocese of Lango at #Gafcon2018
— GAFCON (@gafconference) June 18, 2018
Archbishop Okoh, the Primate of Nigeria and GAFCON Chair gave a stirring plenary address calling us to faithfulness in the gospel and making it perfectly clear that we need to make brave decisions.
Archbishop Okoh primate of Nigeria and chairman of Gafcon explicitly rejects good disagreement #GAFCON2018 pic.twitter.com/JPlb5A3eJy
— Esau McCaulley Ph.D (@esaumccaulley) June 18, 2018
“We do not accept that the office of Canterbury defines Anglicanism. The Gospel is given to us. We must be willing to challenge church leaders who deny the apostolic boundaries of the Gospel”
Nicholas Okoh, ABp of Nigeria and chair of Gafcon
@Gafcon2018 #anglican— Bishop Steve Wood (@revstevewood) June 18, 2018
RT @gafconference: What great encouragement from our morning's exposition, more to come! #gafcon2018 pic.twitter.com/w7lcAgeozT
— Archbp Glenn Davies (@abpdavies) June 18, 2018
‘We do not accept that the office of Canterbury defines Anglicanism. The Gospel is given to us … We must be willing to challenge church leaders who deny the apostolic boundaries of the Gospel’ – A/bishop Okoh, Nigeria Primate, Chair #GAFCON2018
— Karin Sowada (@karinsowada) June 18, 2018
++Okoh is not pulling any punches at #Gafcon2018 pic.twitter.com/yGXr8VfTvB
— Scottish Anglican Ne (@scotanglicannet) June 18, 2018
“From the cross, Jesus said ‘forgive them.’ This is the Jesus we proclaim faithfully to the nations. Will you stand firm in that proclamation? There is a cost. But we are here to proclaim him together.” Rev. Dr. Alfred Olwa @ChurchofUganda at #gafcon2018 @gafconference @The_ACNA
— ADOTS (@adots_acna) June 18, 2018
Bishop Alfred Olwa: "Some people fear the jeering of the crowd more than the judgement of God." #gafcon2018
— GAFCON (@gafconference) June 18, 2018
Delegates also attended a number of different seminars ranging through topics such as human sexuality, Buddhism, traditional African religions and many more. There were also workshops for those linking up in various network groups.
It’s been a huge day but the delegates are very excited. There is a clear sense of common purpose united in a common gospel. Which is an encouraging thing to hear when you’re at the biggest Anglican conference for over 50 years representing well over two thirds of the world’s Anglicans. It’s been a huge effort to make it happen and there was obvious relief mixed in with the excitement of organisers when the doors opened. But it’s already been more than worth it and there’s plenty more to come by Friday afternoon!
Here’s what I was up to…
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